SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                              ---------------------


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 2, 2003



                              KEY TECHNOLOGY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



            OREGON                        0-21820               93-0822509
 (State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)     (IRS Employer
       of incorporation)                                    Identification No.)





                                150 Avery Street
                          Walla Walla, Washington 99362
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)



                                 (509) 529-2161
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)





Item 5.  Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

     On October 2, 2003, Key  Technology,  Inc. (the  "Company")  issued a press
release  announcing the receipt of multiple orders totaling over $6.0 million. A
copy of the  press  release  issued in  connection  with  this  announcement  is
attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (c) Exhibits.

      Exhibit No.   Description
      -----------   ------------------------------------------------------------

      99.1          Key Technology, Inc. Press Release, dated October 2, 2003





                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
the registrant has duly caused this current report on Form 8-K to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                                     KEY TECHNOLOGY, INC.



                                                     /s/ PHYLLIS BEST
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Phyllis Best
                                                     Chief Financial Officer

Dated:  October 2, 2003



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.           Description
------------------    ----------------------------------------------------------

      99.1            Key Technology, Inc. Press Release, dated October 2, 2003